During the apartheid era in South Africa, the system of racial segregation was known as apartheid. This oppressive system was in place from 1948 to 1994, during which time the white minority government enforced strict laws that discriminated against non-white South Africans.

Under apartheid, people were classified into different racial groups, including white, black, colored, and Indian. These classifications determined where individuals could live, work, and go to school. Non-white South Africans were subject to various forms of discrimination, including forced removals from their homes, inferior education and healthcare, and limited economic opportunities.

The apartheid system also restricted the movement of non-white South Africans through the use of pass laws, which required individuals to carry identification documents at all times. Failure to produce these documents could result in arrest and imprisonment.

One of the most infamous aspects of apartheid was the policy of separate development, which led to the creation of bantustans, or homelands, for black South Africans. These areas were overcrowded and poverty-stricken, with limited access to resources and opportunities.

Throughout the apartheid era, there was widespread resistance to the oppressive regime. The African National Congress (ANC) led the struggle against apartheid, with leaders such as Nelson Mandela and Oliver Tambo at the forefront of the movement. International pressure also played a significant role in bringing an end to apartheid, with countries around the world imposing sanctions on South Africa in protest against the government's discriminatory policies.

In 1994, South Africa held its first democratic elections, marking the official end of apartheid. Nelson Mandela was elected as the country's first black president, ushering in a new era of equality and justice for all South Africans.

Although apartheid is now a thing of the past, its legacy continues to affect South Africa today. The effects of apartheid can still be seen in the country's high levels of inequality, poverty, and social unrest. However, the end of apartheid also represents a triumph of the human spirit and a testament to the power of perseverance and resistance in the face of oppression.

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